Port 51 Lending LLC SBA Loan Review
Rates, lending data, top states & industries — updated for 2026
Port 51 Lending LLC SBA 7(a) Lending Program
As the #20 SBA 7(a) lender in America, Port 51 Lending LLC is a major player in SBA-backed small business lending. In 2025, they approved $353.9M in SBA 7(a) loans across 226 deals, supporting 3,486 jobs nationwide. Their SBA lending program is a core part of their commercial banking operation.
With an average SBA 7(a) rate of 9.96%, Port 51 Lending LLC prices slightly below the national average of 10.32%. This 0.35% advantage may not seem dramatic, but over a 10-year SBA loan on a $500K deal, it translates to roughly $17,500 in interest savings.
Their SBA lending is concentrated in California, Florida, Texas, with notable SBA loan volume in industries like Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels, Full-Service Restaurants, Offices of Dentists. The data below is sourced entirely from official SBA FOIA records and covers Port 51 Lending LLC’s SBA 7(a) lending activity for calendar year 2025 — not their conventional lending or other banking products.
Port 51 Lending LLC SBA Loan Reviews
Port 51 Lending is a non-bank SBA lender specializing in larger SBA 7(a) loans. As a focused SBA lending platform, they bring specialized expertise to complex deal structures.
“Port 51 understood complex SBA deal structures that traditional banks struggled with. Specialized SBA expertise is their strength.”
Reviews sourced from Trustpilot, BBB, and other public review platforms. Individual experiences may vary. GoSBA Loans is not affiliated with Port 51 Lending LLC.
Port 51 Lending LLC SBA Loans by Business Type
Not all SBA lenders fund the same types of deals. Some focus their SBA programs on established businesses with years of cash flow history, while others actively seek out startup financing or business acquisition deals. Understanding Port 51 Lending LLC’s SBA loan mix helps you assess whether their program aligns with your specific situation. Here’s how their $353.9M in 2025 SBA 7(a) approvals breaks down:
Port 51 Lending LLC’s SBA program is primarily focused on established businesses, with only 8% of their portfolio going to startups (28 loans). If you’re launching a new business, you may want to prioritize SBA lenders with higher startup allocation — though Port 51 Lending LLC may still consider strong startup deals in industries they know well.
Business acquisitions (change of ownership) account for a significant 31% of Port 51 Lending LLC’s SBA lending (65 deals totaling $109.3M). This tells us Port 51 Lending LLC’s SBA team has deep experience underwriting acquisition deals — evaluating seller financials, business valuations, and transition plans. If you’re buying a business with an SBA loan, Port 51 Lending LLC is well-equipped to handle the complexity.
Existing business SBA loans represent the largest category at 54% of Port 51 Lending LLC’s SBA portfolio ($191.4M across 113 loans). These are businesses with 2+ years of operating history, and they typically receive the fastest SBA approvals and most competitive rates because lenders can evaluate actual financial performance rather than projections. New businesses (under 2 years old) account for 7% ($24.3M, 20 SBA loans).
Port 51 Lending LLC vs. National Average
How does Port 51 Lending LLC compare to the average SBA 7(a) lender in 2025? The SBA 7(a) program funded 78078 loans totaling $478K in average loan size at a 10.32% average rate. Here’s how Port 51 Lending LLC stacks up:
Port 51 Lending LLC9.96%
National Avg10.32%
✅ Port 51 Lending LLC’s rate is 0.35% lower than the national average
Port 51 Lending LLC$1.6M
National Avg$478K
Port 51 Lending LLC’s avg loan is 3.3x the national average
Understanding how Port 51 Lending LLC compares to national benchmarks helps you evaluate whether their terms are competitive. A rate lower than the national average of 10.32% can translate to significant savings over the life of a 10-25 year SBA loan. However, individual rates depend on your credit profile, deal structure, and the specific lender relationship — which is why comparing multiple offers is critical.
Variable vs. Fixed Rate Breakdown
SBA 7(a) loans can carry either variable or fixed interest rates. Variable rates are tied to the Prime Rate and adjust quarterly, while fixed rates remain constant for the life of the loan. Here’s how Port 51 Lending LLC’s portfolio breaks down:
Variable rate loans made up 100% of Port 51 Lending LLC’s SBA portfolio at an average rate of 9.96%. Fixed rate loans accounted for 0% at 0%. The SBA caps variable rates at Prime + 2.75% for most loans, so your actual rate depends on the spread each lender charges. Fixed rate loans offer rate certainty but are less common in the SBA 7(a) program.
Loan Term Breakdown
SBA 7(a) loan terms typically range from 7 to 25 years depending on the use of proceeds. Loans for commercial real estate qualify for 25-year terms, while working capital and business acquisition loans typically max out at 10 years. Here’s how Port 51 Lending LLC’s portfolio splits:
Long-term loans (typically for commercial real estate purchases) carry significantly lower rates averaging 9.7% compared to 10.33% for shorter-term working capital and business acquisition loans. The average long-term loan is also larger at $1.7M vs $1.4M for short-term loans. If your deal involves real estate, you’ll generally qualify for longer terms and lower rates.
Top States for Port 51 Lending LLC SBA Loans
Geographic presence matters in SBA lending. Lenders who are active in your state often have relationships with local SBA district offices, understand regional real estate markets, and may have branch locations that can facilitate closings. The table below shows every state where Port 51 Lending LLC funded SBA 7(a) loans in 2025, ranked by total dollar volume:
| State | Loans | Total Approved |
|---|---|---|
| California | 68 | $103.0M |
| Florida | 22 | $33.8M |
| Texas | 16 | $30.8M |
| Georgia | 14 | $25.1M |
| Illinois | 9 | $14.3M |
| Ohio | 4 | $12.3M |
| Colorado | 7 | $12.2M |
| Oregon | 7 | $10.2M |
| New York | 6 | $8.9M |
| Washington | 5 | $8.5M |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | $7.1M |
| Montana | 3 | $6.8M |
| New Mexico | 3 | $6.4M |
| South Carolina | 6 | $5.6M |
| Maryland | 2 | $5.6M |
Port 51 Lending LLC funded SBA loans across 15 states in 2025, with the heaviest concentration in California, Florida, Texas. If your business is located in one of these high-volume states, Port 51 Lending LLC likely has loan officers who understand your local market conditions — commercial real estate values, industry mix, and economic dynamics. This familiarity can translate to faster underwriting and more competitive terms.
That said, many borrowers benefit from working with lenders outside their immediate geography. National SBA lenders may offer better rates or more experience with your specific industry. An SBA loan broker can identify the best match regardless of location.
Compare Port 51 Lending LLC with 50+ Other SBA Lenders
One 5-minute application. Multiple competing offers. GoSBA matches your deal to the best-fit lenders — including Port 51 Lending LLC — at no cost to you.
Top Industries Funded by Port 51 Lending LLC
Industry specialization is one of the most underrated factors in SBA lending. A lender who has funded 50 dental practices understands the economics of that business model far better than one processing their first dental deal. The table below shows which industries Port 51 Lending LLC funded most actively in 2025:
| Industry | Loans | Total Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels | 26 | $73.8M |
| Full-Service Restaurants | 14 | $20.5M |
| Offices of Dentists | 8 | $10.0M |
| General Freight Trucking, Local | 7 | $9.5M |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers | 7 | $8.7M |
| Homes for the Elderly | 5 | $7.2M |
| Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) | 3 | $6.7M |
| Limited-Service Restaurants | 9 | $6.5M |
| Child Day Care Services | 4 | $6.5M |
| Coin-Operated Laundries and Drycleaners | 2 | $6.2M |
| Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | 5 | $6.1M |
| Supermarkets and Other Grocery (except Convenience) Stores | 2 | $6.0M |
| Electrical Contractors | 4 | $5.7M |
| All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | 5 | $5.6M |
| Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing | 1 | $5.0M |
If your business falls within one of Port 51 Lending LLC’s top-funded industries, you may benefit from their underwriting familiarity. Lenders with deep industry experience understand the typical revenue patterns, seasonal cash flow fluctuations, margin structures, and collateral values specific to your sector. This expertise typically translates into three tangible advantages: faster processing (they know exactly what documentation to request), higher approval rates (they can accurately assess risk without conservative assumptions), and more competitive terms (they price the loan based on actual industry data rather than generalized risk models).
Conversely, if your industry doesn’t appear in Port 51 Lending LLC’s top list, that doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t fund your deal — but you may want to prioritize lenders who have more experience with your business type. An SBA loan broker can identify which lenders have the deepest expertise in your specific industry.
How to Get an SBA Loan Through Port 51 Lending LLC
There are two primary ways to access Port 51 Lending LLC for an SBA 7(a) loan, and the path you choose can significantly impact your rate, terms, and timeline:
Option 1: Apply directly to Port 51 Lending LLC. You can contact Port 51 Lending LLC’s commercial lending team and submit an SBA 7(a) application. This approach is straightforward — you work with one bank, one loan officer, and receive a single offer. The advantage is simplicity. The disadvantage is that you have no way to know whether Port 51 Lending LLC’s terms are competitive without a reference point. You’re essentially accepting whatever rate and terms they offer.
Option 2: Use an SBA loan broker (recommended). An SBA loan broker like GoSBA Loans submits your application to Port 51 Lending LLC and 50+ other SBA lenders simultaneously. Instead of one quote, you receive 3-5 competing term sheets. This fundamentally changes the negotiation dynamic — lenders know they’re competing for your business, which drives rates down and speeds up processing. The broker’s service is completely free to borrowers because lenders pay the broker origination fee.
What to prepare: Regardless of which path you choose, Port 51 Lending LLC will typically require 2-3 years of business and personal tax returns, a 10% equity injection, a personal financial statement (SBA Form 413), and details about the business or property you’re acquiring. For acquisitions, you’ll also need the seller’s financial records and a signed Letter of Intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Port 51 Lending LLC’s average SBA loan size?
What interest rate does Port 51 Lending LLC charge on SBA loans?
Does Port 51 Lending LLC fund SBA loans for startups?
Should I apply directly to Port 51 Lending LLC or use a broker?
How does Port 51 Lending LLC compare to other SBA lenders?
Port 51 Lending LLC SBA Alternatives
While Port 51 Lending LLC is a strong SBA lender ranked #20 nationally, many borrowers benefit from comparing offers across multiple banks. Each SBA lender has different rate spreads, industry preferences, geographic focus areas, and appetite for startups vs. existing businesses. The lenders below represent the top SBA 7(a) lenders in the country by total loan volume — any of them could be a viable alternative depending on your specific deal:
- #1 Live Oak Banking Company — $2.85B funded across 2280 loans
- #2 The Huntington National Bank — $2.09B funded across 6998 loans
- #3 Newtek Bank, National Association — $2.03B funded across 4828 loans
- #4 Northeast Bank — $1.32B funded across 7815 loans
- #5 Readycap Lending, LLC — $1.17B funded across 3137 loans
- #6 U.S. Bank, National Association — $871.2M funded across 3453 loans
- #7 First Internet Bank of Indiana — $712.3M funded across 487 loans
- #8 Celtic Bank Corporation — $592.9M funded across 1482 loans
- #9 JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association — $590.5M funded across 1914 loans
- #10 Byline Bank — $561.1M funded across 505 loans
The best way to determine which lender is the right fit for your deal is to submit a single application through an SBA loan broker like GoSBA and let multiple lenders compete for your business. This way you see actual term sheets from Port 51 Lending LLC and its competitors — side by side — before making a decision.
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Data sourced from official SBA 7(a) FOIA loan approval records for Calendar Year 2025, published by the U.S. Small Business Administration. For official SBA program information, visit sba.gov.
